Rachel Tweddle – Chief Executive Officer
Rachel began her career working with the community running an after school club in her hometown of Leyburn, North Yorkshire 20 years ago. This experience inspired her to plan a career with children and young people on completing her uni degree, 5 years later. By this time she’d moved to County Durham and began working with the Local Authority as an Education Welfare Officer, Connexions Adviser, Youth Worker and then Teacher. Rachel had great mentors at Staindrop School, who encouraged her to train as a Secondary Teacher. She continued to work in the community with Joe at TCR and Dianne Spark at UTASS. She also spent a few years at the YMCA in Barnard Castle and briefly managing Oxfam in the town for 12 months!
Since leaving formal education Rachel has not looked back and loves working in the voluntary sector. She still delivers the Duke of Edinburgh Award from the Hub, which she says helps to remind her what youth and community work is all about.
Rachel has worked hard alongside the staff team to ensure that the Hub is sustainable and a good quality resource for the region. “We are getting there and our profile is constantly rising. Managing a charity today can be tough – nothing can be taken for granted, the climate is forever changing and I have to be very enterprising in my approach to management.”
The effort is all worth it when we get a great review or feedback, and even a rare negative one pushes me to improve our service further!!
Jonny Elliott – Outdoor Pursuits & Facilities Manager
Jonny began volunteering for Teesdale Community Resources in 2012 not long after The Hub was established. He would come down every week and check the PPE for the canoeing and high ropes so they were ready for any sessions. Eventually He was offered a part time job, running sessions and groundskeeping and general building management. As The Hub became busier and busier and our staff team more specialised, it has made sense for him to go full time (even then he struggles to fit it in!). “It has been wonderful working for Teesdale Community Resources all of these years. I feel that I have gained an incredible amount of experience and many qualifications, which has helped me develop professionally.”
“A major highlight so far has been to run activity days for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides annually which has now gained the name of Hubabaloo. Working with up to 90 children through out the day is an amazing, if not an exhausting experience!”
Tom Whittaker – Music Studio Coordinator
Tom has played the drums for over 14 years and has been in a number of bands. He taught drums at TCR before the Hub itself was built, whilst studying an A level in Music Technology. He left TCR in 2008 in order to go to university and graduated with a BA honours in Creative Music Technology. Having worked in various projects Tom then moved to Middlesbrough where he worked on various freelance sound design projects. Having returned to the Hub, Tom now heads up the Hub Music Dept and is happy to answer any questions regarding lessons, recording or hire of studio equipment.
Graham Moore – Volunteer Groundsman
Graham has volunteered at the TCR Hub for several years and enjoys caring for the beautiful, lush grounds surrounding the Lake and Hub building. Having worked for the army for 24 years, Graham is rewarded by seeing the grounds look neat and tidy whilst employing eco-friendly gardening methods in order to encourage the wildlife and the diverse eco-system.
Graham looks after his own garden and allotment, which are immaculate, and volunteers time each day at the Hub. He recalls that when the TCR Hub first opened the grounds were mainly nettles but with persistent hard work the grounds are now a credit to Graham and to the Hub, supporting a wealth of activities which visitors can enjoy.
If you have any time to spare and feel that you could offer to help look after the grounds of the Hub, or, if you would like to volunteer in an alternative role, please contact Rachel on 01833 690150. We would love to hear from you!